Thanks for Exalted, Gallerhad and Michael Thunder for becoming as Supporters!
===BREAK===
Until now, I had believed the Great Will was a byproduct of Project Noah.
I still didn't know exactly what Project Noah was, but putting all the clues together, there was no other plausible explanation.
But the story Lania shared surpassed all expectations.
The Great Will, a force so powerful it was revered as a god, was in fact nothing more than a collection of unfortunate entities—birthed by an ether adept named the Great Spirit, who had the power to alter the very laws of the world.
"…So that's what happened."
The Great Spirit and the Great Will.
Though their names sounded similar, they held entirely different meanings.
"Judging by your reaction, you really did forget everything, didn't you? I'm not sure anymore if forcing you to recall what you tried to forget was the right thing."
"You don't need to worry about that. It's for me to decide."
"Thanks… for saying that."
It felt like I had uncovered most of the secrets I needed to in this place—but some questions still remained.
Like what the world was like back when the Great Spirit had no choice but to act.
Back when Mount Noah was just an ordinary dormant volcano—what on earth had happened to bring about such destruction?
I had long assumed that apocalyptic event was connected to Project Noah. But ultimately, that was just speculation.
"Why was the world on the brink of destruction back then?"
"Well… I don't know for sure. All I've seen are fragmented pieces of the past."
I'd hoped I might learn something about Project Noah—but, unfortunately, the answer was no.
"I see. That's a shame."
"But there's one thing I do know. At the center of that destruction… was the Ark."
"The Ark, huh…"
Since the setting of the story was Mount Noah, the appearance of the nearby megacity Ark was inevitable.
But it was clear that Lania meant more than just geographical proximity.
"So, what happens now?"
"Most likely, war will begin."
Even though their enemy was the Ark, Lania spoke of war as though it were the only choice left.
Given how mutually assured destruction was all but guaranteed in this scenario, her decision couldn't have been easy.
"There's no other way?"
"Sadly… no. If this could've been resolved through talk and negotiation, we never would've come this far."
And that was true.
The Kronos Union had the grand cause of protecting all life in this world—but stripped of that pretense, they simply wanted to survive.
Maybe they wouldn't die now, but eventually, their children, their descendants would vanish—until nothing remained.
That was what the complete halt of life's cycle would bring.
"There has to be another way. We just haven't found it yet."
Lania let out a small laugh.
It was a bitter, weary smile.
"I met a White Line delegate once. And that's when I realized—Ark isn't so different from us."
"A White Line delegate?"
She must've met one during her brief stay in Ark.
Undoubtedly, that meeting had left a deep impression on her—possibly even swaying her current decision.
"What did you talk about?"
"Just… the stuff of daily life. And that's what made it clearer than ever—we can never walk the same path as Ark."
"What do you mean?"
"They're just like us. They only have one wish: to survive. In this world, on this planet, where death could strike at any moment, survival is all they seek."
Viewed from a utilitarian perspective, the actions of the Kronos Union—and Lania—were entirely reasonable.
After all, if things were left to fester, everyone would be doomed to mutual destruction.
"…I see."
Even so, the reason Lania expressed bitterness rather than condemnation toward Ark was simple.
Because Ark was no different.
The Kronos Union, the Ark—
They both just wanted to survive this hellish world.
"Let's head out."
"Already? If you're worried about the meeting, don't be. You are more than qualified to be here."
"That's not it. There's someone I need to meet. Besides… it feels like the meeting's already over."
Regardless of the practicalities, Lania's resolve would manifest.
If their interests hadn't aligned, the Church of Morte would never have joined forces with the Kronos Union in the first place.
Which meant all that was left was preparation.
For war—or to stop one.
"Someone to meet?"
"There are others I need to hear from—not just you."
"…Ah. Right. Of course."
Lania slowly nodded.
"Whatever you choose, I believe in you, brother. Even if you walk a different path from ours."
Believe.
That word rang so familiarly in my ears.
The Great Will. Lania Marcus.
Just what did they see in me that inspired such faith?
I didn't know.
And because I didn't know, I had to make a decision I wouldn't regret.
"How much time do we have?"
"Not much."
"Got it."
Not much, huh…
Even with a war against Ark looming—a city with unprecedented power and technology—Lania declared it like it was nothing.
Which only proved how little time everyone had left.
'And on top of that… the next Wave aligns suspiciously close.'
It had been quite some time since the last Wave.
Given that no signs of a new one had emerged, it was all but certain the next Wave would be a multi-stage, triple-layered event at minimum.
'Is that what they're aiming for?'
Even with the combined strength of the Kronos Union and the Church of Morte, their opponent was the Ark.
A powerhouse that had risen to its current level within a single time period.
If they were planning to go to war against such a force, they'd obviously want to pick the perfect moment.
In any case, the time left was short.
"Then I'll see you next time."
"Next time… Yes. I'll see you then. For sure."
Lania smiled faintly as she repeated the words "next time."
She seemed prepared to face me as an enemy if it came to that—but I had no such intention.
It didn't mean I was abandoning the Ark.
Just that the answer I was looking for wasn't among either side.
'If I can uncover the truth about Project Noah… there might still be another way.'
I knew the reality.
There was no easy solution in a conflict as deeply rooted as this.
But I would find an answer.
I had before, and I would again.
["…Feels like I've learned something I was never meant to know."]
Esther trembled as she spoke.
The truth that had finally come to light.
Even the instinctual aversion monsters—including the Phantom-class—felt toward Mount Noah must have been related to it.
'This was never a problem I could keep turning away from.'
["…I see."]
Now, only one thing remained.
Project Noah.
A darkness deeper and more hidden than anything the Ark had ever revealed.
And now, the time had come to shine light upon its truth.
'Let's go.'
After parting with Lania—
Just as I turned to head for the exit, a strangely familiar shadow appeared before me.
"Carl Marcus."
The unexpected appearance made the ether around me ripple violently.
[Kyaaaaah───!]
[Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come. Don't come.]
[Kek, kkiegeek…]
What kind of person could provoke such visceral hostility from ether itself?
The thought alone was enough—but once I saw who it was, even that question became moot.
"…Oculus."
Cardinal Oculus.
Second-in-command of the Church of Morte and de facto overseer of all its internal affairs—barring the reclusive Pontiff.
What did it mean for such a giant to appear before me?
"You know who I am. How unexpected."
"Do you have business with me?"
Prepared for any emergency, I was already poised to summon a weapon from the Rift Space as I faced Cardinal Oculus.
I knew what he was.
Let my guard down even a little, and blessings of five or more types would rain down on my head and the ground beneath me at once.
'Or… perhaps I should just eliminate him here.'
I didn't want a war between the Kronos Union and the Ark—but the Church of Morte was another matter.
At this point, I had little reason to worry about outside powers anymore.
'What to do…'
Yet what held me back from acting was this—we were standing in the heart of the Kronos Union.
If a disturbance erupted here, it wouldn't end well for me.
As I debated how to deal with Oculus, the Cardinal opened his mouth.
"There is something I must give you."
"Unfortunately, I don't accept gifts from the Church of Morte. I'll have to decline."
Oculus let out a crooked smile.
"I know many bear ill will toward our church. But in a world like this, faith must sometimes be blind for the sake of order. Even if… it earns us the stain of fanaticism."
"You don't need to justify anything to me."
I didn't know what Oculus's aim was, but I had no intention of playing nice.
Yes, I'd once joined the Church during its narrative path—but all I'd learned was how genuinely insane they were.
"I said I don't accept gifts. That should make this easier. This isn't a gift—it's something that rightfully belongs to you."
The moment Oculus reached into his robes, I pulled out the Ark-34 Automatic Conversion Rifle from Rift Space and aimed.
"Try anything and I'll put a hole in your forehead."
"Please don't misunderstand. I have no intention of fighting."
He slowly pulled out a necklace.
A necklace made of bone.
It was a common symbol in the Church of Morte, but something about this one felt… off.
"…What is that?"
"You'll understand the moment you touch it."
"Then I'll have to decline."
I switched the Ark-34 into shotgun mode and lightly gripped the trigger.
["Master!"]
Esther's cry echoed just as the bone necklace in Oculus's hand began to glow with a strange light.
[The Will of the Watcher is observing you.]
[The Will of the Watcher is observing you.]
[The Will of the Watcher is observing you.]
And then, the light consumed me.
===BREAK===
Like the story and want more chapters?
Join and support me by joining my Patreon!
[email protected]/SiRoasa